Telescope mounting for firearms



Oct. 22, 1968 A. A. AKIN, JR 3,406,455

TELESCOPE MOUNTING FOR FIREARMS Filed Aug. 1, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 i [iW i /0 L 4% 1 j if INVENTOR. 41/750 4 Am /A BY man/4% Oct. 22, 1968 A.A4 AKIN, JR 3,406,455

TELESCOPE MOUNTING FOR FIREARMS Filed Aug. 1, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 pxi: 1& //5 ,m INVENTOR.

M 4/7 415 50 A. Aka/J2 //7---' Oct. 22, 1968 A. A. AKIN, JR 3,406,455

TELESCOPE MOUNTING FOR FIREARMS Filed Aug. 1, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5VZiif INVENTOR 40750 A. Am/ ../R

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0a. 22, 1968 A. A. AKIN, JR 3, 5

I TELESCOPE MOUNTING FOR FIREARMS Filed Aug. 1, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVE NTOR. JZFPM 4 AIM J6! A. A. AKIN, JR

Oct. 22, 1968 TELESCJPE MOUNTING FOR FIREARMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledAug. 1, 1966 INVENTOR 405F517 A? fi/m/v, f BY MZZMQ flrfaA/fl j UnitedStates Patent 3,406,455 TELESCOPE MOUNTING FOR FIREARMS Alfred A. Akin,Jr., West Coviua, Califl, assiguor to David P. BushnellContinuation-impart of application Ser. No. 534,117,

Mar. 14, 1966. This application Aug. 1, 1966, Ser.

30 Claims. (CI. 33-50) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mounting apparatusfor securing a telescope sight to a firearm such as a rifle. Theapparatus includes a pin which threads into a factory-tapped hole in thefirearm. The pin has a portion which extends from the firearm, and thetelescope has a socket which receives the pin in clamping engagement,the pin and socket being closely fitted longitudinally so the pin locksthe telescope in position longitudinally during recoil shock of thefirearm. A separate clamp means is longitudinally spaced from the pin,and is secured to the telescope and engaged in another tapped hole inthe firearm. The apparatus is characterized by being directly mountableon a variety of different firearms without any need for auxiliaryspacers or adapters, and can be installed by the firearm user withoutany need for skilled services of a gunsmith.

Cross reference to related application This is a continuation-in-part ofco-pending application Ser. No. 534,117 filed Mar. 14, 1966.

Background of the invention Telescope sights are widely used tofacilitate accurate aiming of rifles, and are also useful on pistols,shotguns, and other firearms. Such a telescope typically includes anoptical system having objective and ocular lens systems, and a reticledisposed between and at the focal plane of the lens systems. The reticleis superimposed over an image of the target, eliminating the need forthe shooter to shift eye focus between the firearm sight and the target.

The telescope optical system may provide a magnified target image, butmagnification is not an essential feature. For purposes of thisapplication, any optical sighting apparatus having a reticle which issuperimposed between an ocular and an objective lens system will bereferred to as a telescope.

The telescope is typically mounted on the firearm receiver, which isthat part of the firearm frame that houses the firearm action andreceives the breach end of the barrel. In a bolt-action rifle, thereceiver is divided into a receiver ring which encloses the front of thebolt and the breech end of the barrel, and a receiver bridge locatedbehind the receiver ring and breech opening.

Almost all modern firearms are provided by the manufacturer with tappedholes in the receiver to facilitate mounting of a telescope. Abolt-action rifle typically includes two longitudinally spaced holes inthe receiver ring, and two longitudinally spaced holes in the receiverbridge.

While these factory drilled and tapped holes somewhat simplify the taskof securing a telescope to a rifle, the lack of a standard spacing andlocation of the mounting holes has prevented the use of a standardmounting apparatus which is adaptable to many different types offirearms. For example, the spacing between the holes in the receiverbridge varies considerably between different firearms, and there is alsosome variation of the spacing of the two holes in the receiver ring. Thespacing between the sets of holes in the receiver bridge and ring isalso a variable. Furthermore, the receiver ring and bridge are often adifferent levels, and may have different radii.

3,406,455 Patented Oct. 22, 1968 ice The result of this non-standardlocation of mounting holes, as well as the variations in receiverheights and radii, has been that gunsmiths have been forced to stockdifferent styles of telescope mount bases for each model of firearmmanufactured. The proper maintenance of this inventory of mountingapparatus requires a considerable investment by the gunsmith, as well asposing a constant stocking and reordering problem. From the usersstandpoint, existing mounts not only lack interchangeability, but mayrequire expensive, custom installation by a skilled gunsmith.

The telescope mounting apparatus of this invention is adapted to securea telescope to almost any rifle or other conventional firearm withoutthe use of special mount bases for each firearm model or othercustom-fitting apparatus. This universality is a significant advantagebecause it eliminates the disadvantages discussed above. Variations inmounting-hole spacing and height are compensated for by the telescopemounting, and receiver radius variations pose no problem in securing themount to the firearm. The telescope is securely held to the rifle inaccurate alignment, but can be readily removed for interchangeable useon other firearms. The mount is simple and inexpensive to manufacturewith conventional machine tools.

Briefly stated, the telescope mounting of this invention comprises a pinadapted to be secured in one of the receiver holes, an elongated blockadapted to be secured in another of the receiver holes andlongitudinally spaced from the pin, and a telescope having a socket andhaving clamp means spaced from the socket. The pin includes atelescope-engaging portion which extends above the receiver when the pinis secured to the receiver. The telescope socket is dimensioned to fitsnugly over the telescopeengaging portion of the pin whereby there issubstantially zero longitudinal freedom between the socket and the pin,providing a positive stop to secure the telescope against longitudinalmovement in response to recoil shocks. The block has a pair of sideswhich extend abov the receiver, and at least one of the sides has alongitudinally elongated groove. The telescope clamp means is engageablein the block groove for clamping the telescope to the block.

In another form, the block may include a pair of upwardly divergingsides which are engageable with the clamp means. A post is adjustablysecured to the top of the block, and a lower portion of the telescopeabuts the top of the post when the clamp means are secured to the block.In yet another form, the mounting comprises a pair of pins adapted to besecured in a pair of spacedapart holes in the receiver, and thetelescope includes a pair of socket portions adapted to fit snugly overthe pins. Each pin has a portion formed as an inverted truncated conewhich extends above the receiver, and a pair of opposed screws arethreaded laterally through each of the portions of the telescope intothe sockets to bear on opposite sides of the conical portion forclamping the telescope against the receiver.

The invention will be described in detail with reference to the attacheddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of a portion of a rifle, and a telescope securedto the rifle by the mounting of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the rifle shown in FIG. 1, with the telescopeshown in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pin as used in the mounting;

FIG. 4 is a view along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting block formed according to theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a view of the mounting block along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative form a mounting block andtelescope clamp;

. 'FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative form of themounting block and telescope clamp;

FIG. 10 is an end view of yet another form of mounting vblock andtelescope clamp;

FIG. 11 is an elevation of a double-pin mounting and telescope clamp; v

FIG. 12 is a view alongline 12-12 of FIG. 11;

- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a set of telescope clamp ringsadapted to be secured to the pin and mounting block of this invention;

FIG. 14 is an elevation of an alternative form of a pin useful in themounting;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a variable-height pin assembly;

FIG. 16 is an elevation, partly in. cross section, of an assembled clampring and pin; FIG. l7,is an elevation, partly in cross section, of analternative variable-height pin assembly;

.- FIG. 18 is a side elevation of another form of the invention in whicha pair of mounting blocks are engaged in a dovetail section of atelescope;

FIG. 19 is a view along line 1919 of FIG. 18; and

FIG. 20 is aview along line 2020 of FIG. 18.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame of a bolt-action rifle 10 includesa barrel 11 and a receiver 12 at the breech end of the barrel. At theforward end of the receiver. is a receiver ring 14 which receives thebarrel. The rear end of the receiver forms a receiver bridge 15, and abreech opening between the receiver ring and bridge is occupied by abolt 17.

The receiver ring includes a pair of longitudinally spaced holes 19 and20. As shown in FIG. 6, the receiver bridge also includes a pair oflongitudinally spaced holes 22 and 23. Almost all modern rifles includethese holes which are drilled and tapped by the rifle manufacturer toaccept a 6-48 screw. While these pre-drilled and tapped holes greatlyfacilitate the mounting of a telescope to a rifle, there is anunfortunate lack of standardization in hole location and spacing.

For example, in the majority of modern rifles, holes 19 and 20 arespaced apart 0.860 inch. However, there are other rifles in .whichtheseholes are spaced apart 0.605 inch, and even other spacings may befound. There is even less standardization in the location of holes 22and 23 which may be spaced apart by a distance varying from about 0.3inch up to 1 inch. An even more significant variation exist in thespacing of the pair of holes in the receiver ring from the pair of holesin the receiver bridge. Furthermore, the top surfaces of the receiverring and bridge may be located at different levels, introducing yetanother variable into the mounting problem.

A telescope 26 is shown in FIG. 1 as secured to rifle 10 by amountingformed according to the invention. The telescope includes a centralbarrel 27, an objective-lens housing 28 secured to the forward end ofthe barrel, and an ocular-lens housing 29 secured to the rear end of thebarrel. An erector-lens system and a reticle (not shown) are enclosedwithin barrel 27, and conventional reticle adjusting means (not shown)are provided for introducing windage and elevation adjustments in thetelescope. Extending downwardly from the forward part of the telescopebarrel is a socket portion 32. As seen in FIG. 4, the undersurface ofthe socket portion is bored to define a circular socket 33.. A pair oflaterally opposed setscrews 34 are threaded through opposite sides ofthe socket portion to extend inwardly and upwardly into the socket. A

bottom face 36 of the socket portion is bevelled slightly to fit snuglyagainst a receiver ring of a rifle.

Preferably, the socket portion is formed integrally with the telescopebarrel, eliminating separate split-clamp rings which are used inconventional telescope mountings. Such clamp rings add to the complexityof a telescope .mounting,. and. must.be selected forone specificbarreldiameter. There is also a tendency for the barrel to slip within suchclamping rings,'upsetting the eye-relief positiming of the telescope,and causing the reticle to rotate away. from a desired position. Thesedifliculties are eliminated by an integrally formed socket portionbecause the barrel is fixed withrespect to the socket portion.

A pair of laterally spaced lower portions 38 are spaced rearwardly fromthe socket portion and extend downwardly from the barrel. Preferably,the lower portions are integrally formed with the barrel to eliminatethe disadvantages of conventionaLsplit-clamp rings as discussed above.

As best seen in FIG. 7, alon'gitudin ally elongated, open-ended recess40 is formed by inner faces 41 of lower portions 38 and a flatundersurface 43 of the telescope barrel. A pair oflaterally opposed,threaded holes 45 are formed through the lower portions adjacent theirlower rear ends, and a second pair of laterally opposed, threaded holes47 are formed above and longitudinally forward of holes 45 through thelower portions.

Referring to FIG. 3, a circular pin 50. includes a threaded lowerportion 52 extending downwardly from a base 53, and a telescope-engagingportion 55 extending upwardly from. the base. The telescope-engagingportion is formed as an inverted, truncated cone. A top portion 57 ofthe pin extends upwardly from the base of the inverted cone, and has adiameter equal to the diameter of base 53. The diameter of top portion57 and base 53 is chosen to be a snug, sliding fit in socket 33 in thetelescope, and threaded portion 52 is dimensioned to engage the threadsin hole 19 or 20. The upper surface of the top portion has a screwdriverslot 58.

An elongated block 60, seen in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, and 7, includes a vertical(as viewed in FIG. 6) hole 62 therethrough. The upper part of hole 62 iscounterbored to form a shoulder 63. A longitudinally elongated slot 65is cut vertically through the forward part of block 60, and the upperpart of the slot is recessed to form a shoulder 66.

The block has a pair of upright sides which include a plurality ofgenerally V-shaped grooves 69 along the length of the block. The twosets of grooves are in lateral alignment such that a horizontal planepassing through the apex of a groove on one side of the block will alsopass through the apex of a corresponding groove on the other side of theblock. Preferably, a bottom surface 71 of the block is formed in ashallow V-shape so the block may fit snugly against the receiver bridgeof a rifle.

To assemble the telescope mounting, block is secured to the receiverbridge of rifle 10 by a pair of screws 73. One of the screws is slippedthrough hole 62 and threaded into hole 23 in the receiver bridge, andthe head of this screw abuts shoulder 63. The second screw passesthrough slot in the block and is threaded into hole 22 in the receiverbridge, the head of the screw abutting shoulder 66. Differences inlongitudinal spacing of holes 22 and 23 in the receiver bridge areaccommodatedby varying the position of screw 73 along slot 65.

Pin 50 is then threaded into either hole 19 or hole 20 in the receiverring. The choice between these two holes is dictated by the spacingbetween the receiver ring and bridge in the particular rifle in use. Ifthe spacing is large, rear hole 20 will be selected to keep the distancebetween the pin and block within reasonable limits. If the spacingbetween the receiver ring and bridge is small, front hole 19 will beselected to insure proper spacing of the pin and block.

Telescope 26 is then positioned over the pin and block against thereceiver. Screws 34 in the socket are tightened evenly against conicaltelescope-engaging portion 55 of the pin. As these screws are tightened,lower face 36 of the socket portion is drawn snugly against the top ofthe receiver ring. Binding of the screws is avoided by making thelongitudinal axes of the screws approximately perpendicular to thesurface of the conical section. As described above, pin 50 makes a snug,piston-cylinder fit within socket 33, and the telescope is therebysecured against longitudinal movement in response to recoil shocks fromthe rifle. These shocks are absorbed by the pin, and are not imposed onsetscrews 34 as these screws are threaded laterally against the pin.

If desired, socket 33 may have an oblong shape which provides lateralclearance between the socket and the pin, permitting differentialadjustment of screws 34 to introduce a windage adjustment in thetelescope position. However, the socket should make a snug fit againstthe front and back surfaces of the pin to eliminate any longitudinalfreedom, thereby insuring that recoil shocks will be absorbed by thepin.

The telescope is then secured against block 60 by threading a pair ofconica'lly pointed screws 76 (see FIG. 7) through holes 45 or 47 into apair of grooves 69 in the sides of the block. As these screws may betightened anywhere along the length of the grooves, variations inspacing between the receiver bridge and receiver ring are automaticallycompensated. This spacing, as well as any difference in height of thereceiver ring and bridge, will dictate the choice of holes 45 or holes47. The provision of several sets of holes insures that screws 76 canalways be tightened against the block grooves in spite of extreme heightor spacing differences between the receiver ring and bridge.

The telescope is thus tightly secured against longitudinal motion by thepin and socket, and is further secured against vertical motion by screws76 and grooves 69. An even more rigid mounting may be provided bythreading a post 79 into the upper counterbored portion of hole 62 asshown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The counterbored portion is threaded to acceptthe post, and a setscrew 80 is threaded longitudinally through the backof block 60 to abut and lock the post in place. The top of the postincludes an enlarged flat-topped head 82, and a number of angularlyspaced holes 84 are drilled laterally through the head.

After the pin and socket portion of the mount have been tightened snuglytogether, the post is rotated to move the top of head 82 against flatundersurface 43 of the telescope. As suggested in FIG. 7, the post isaccessible from the rear of lower portions 38, and a thin elongatedmember may be inserted in holes 84 to rotate the post to the properheight setting. Screws 76 are then tightened into the block grooves,pulling the telescope down securely against the top of the post. Theslight lateral clearance between the sides of the block and inner faces41 of lower portions 38 permits a windage adjustment of the telescopeposition by differential adjustment of screws 76.

FIG. 8 shows another form of a clamp for securing the telescope againstthe block. A pair of lower portions 88 are integrally secured to andextend below a telescope barrel 89. The upper inner face of each lowerportion includes a recess 91 along its length, forming a thin section 92which makes the lower portions slightly resilient so they may be flexedtoward each other. The inner lower face of each portion 88 is angleddownwardly and inwardly to form a longitudinally elongated clampingtooth 94. A clamping screw 96 is inserted through a counterboredclearance hole 97 in one of the lower portions, and extends laterallybeneath the telescope barrel to be threaded into a threaded hole (notshown) in the other lower portion.

A block 99 suitable for use with the clamp just described is identicalto block 60 except the midsection of block 99 has a recess 100 toprovide clearance for clamping screw 96. The telescope is installed onthe receiver with lower portions 88 extending downwardly adjacentopposite sides of block 99. After the pin and socket portion of themounting are secured together, clamping screw 96 is tightened to drawthe lower portions toward each other, engaging clamping teeth 94 in theelongated grooves in the block.

Another form of the invention is shown in FIG. 9, and includes a blockidentical to block 99 just described. A single lower portion 103 isformed integrally with and extending downwardly from a telescope barrel104. A longitudinal groove 105 is formed along each side of lowerportion 103 where it joins the telescope barrel. A split clamp 107includes a pair of laterally opposed clamping plates 108. The upper andlower longitudinal edges of each clamping plate extend inwardly to forma pair of clamping teeth 110. A clamping screw 112 extends through aclearance hole in one of the clamping plates and is threaded into athreaded hole in the other of the clamping plates.

As shown in FIG. 9, the clamping plates are arranged on opposite sidesof the block and lower portion with the clamping teeth engaged ingrooves 105 and the longitudinal grooves in the block. Clamping screw112 is then tightened to draw the clamping plates toward each other andinto tight engagement in the grooves, whereby the telescope barrel andlower portion are clamped to the block.

Another alternative form of the invention is shown in FIG. 10, andincludes a block 113 secured to the receiver bridge of a rifle. Thisblock is similar to block 60 described above, except block 113 has apair of longitudinally extending sides 115 which slope inwardly anddownwardly toward each other and toward the receiver bridge. A pair ofclamping screws 117 are threaded through opposite lateral sides of apair of lower portions 119 which are secured to and extend downwardlyfrom a telescope barrel 121. Tightening the clamping screws against theinwardly sloping faces of the block draws the telescope down snu glyagainst a post 123 threaded into the top of the block. Post 123 may beidentical to post 79 as already described.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a tmount using a pair of pins 50 threaded into apair of longitudinally spaced holes in the receiver ring of a rifle. Alower portion is secured to and extends downwardly from a telescopebarrel 131. The lower portion includes a round socket 132 (formedidentically to socket 33 described above) which fits snugly over therearmost one of the pins. Spaced forwardly from socket 132 is alongitudinally elongated slot 134 which fits over front pin 50.

A pair of setscre'ws 136 are threaded through opposite lateral sides ofthe lower portion into socket 132 to secure the lower portion againstthe rear pin. A first set of laterally opposed threaded holes 138 extendthrough opposite sides of the lower portion to extend into elongatedslot 134. Holes 138 are longitudinally spaced 0.605 inch from thelateral centerline of socket 132 to engage the front pin in rifles whichhave a 0.605 inch center-to-center spacing of the tapped holes in thereceiver ring. A second set of laterally opposed tapped holes 140 extendthrough opposite sides of the lower portion into elongated slot 134, andare spaced from the lateral centerline of socket 132 by 0.860 inch toaccommodate rifles which have this centerto-center spacing in thereceiver ring. In the installation illustrated in FIG. 12, the pins areengaged in a pair of holes which are spaced at 0.860 inch, and a pair ofsetscrews 142 are threaded into holes 140 to secure the lower portionagainst the front pin.

Although the telescope mounting of this invention has been describedwith reference to mounting clamps which are formed integrally with thetelescope barrel, the con' cept of the invention is also useful withseparate mounting clamps which may be secured around a telescope barrel.Such separate mounting clamps will hereinafter be described as clamprings, and this term is to be understood as defining any separate clampswhich are secured around a telescope barrel, and which can be adjustablypositioned along the length of the barrel. That is, the term is intendedto describe two-piece split clamps which separate to be installed aroundthe barrel, as well as continuous-ring clamps which are slipped over theend of the barrel (after removing the ocular or objective lens housing)and secured in place by a setscrew or other conventional means.

A pair of clamp rings are shown in FIG. 13. A front clamp ring includesan upper half 152 and a lower half 153 which are dimensioned in aconventional manner to fit around a telescope barrel. The clamp halvesare secured together by a pair of screws 155 which pass through theupper half to thread into the lower half. A socket 157 is formed in theundersurface of lower half 153 to fit over a pin 50 (see FIG. 3). Socket157 is identical to socket 33 already described. A pair of opposedscrews 159 extend through the sides of lower half 153, to secure thefront clamp ring to a pin 50 threaded into a rifle receiver. j

A rear clamp ring 160 is similar to front clamp ring 150, but includes apair of lower portions 162 which extend downwardly from the bottom ofthe clamp ring to fit over the sides of a block such as block 60 alreadydescribed. A pair of laterally opposed setscrews 164 are threadedthrough the lower portions for securing the clamp ring to the block.

When clamp rings are used, it is unnecessary to provide longitudinalfreedom between the rear clamp ring and block as the clamps may beslipped along the telescope barrel to any desired position to compensatefor varying spacing of the tapped holes in the receiver ring and bridge.Thus, while rear clamp ring 160 is completely compatible with the blocksdiscussed above (such as blocks 60 and 113), it can also be secured to ablock which lacks the longitudinal freedom arising from a pair ofelongated grooves or faces on the block. For example, a pair oflaterally opposed depressions in a rear block to receive the points ofsetscrews 164 would be an adequate way of securing rear clamp ring 160to the block.

In yet another alternative form of the invention, an elevationadjustment may be incorporated in the telescope mounting by using amodified round pin 170 as shown in FIG. 14. This pin is generallysimilar to pin 50 already described, but includes a rounded top portion172 above a telescope-engaging portion 174 which is formed as aninverted, truncated cone. The top portion includes a screwdriver slot176. The lower end of the telescope-engaging portion is secured to abase 178, and a threaded lower portion 180 extends downwardly from thebase for engagement in one of the tapped holes in the rifle receiver.The diameter of base 178 is smaller than the diameter of the rounded topportion.

Pin 170 is used in conjunction with a telescope having a socket portion32 as already described, and a block-andpost combination such as block60 and post 79, or block 113 and post 123 discussed above. The roundedtop portion permits the socket portion to pivot around the pin as therear of the telescope mounting is raised or lowered by adjusting thevertical position of post 79 or 123. The reduced diameter of base 178provides clearance for the bottom of the socket portion to permit freepivotal motion. The diameter of rounded top portion 172 is of courseselected to be a snug piston-cylinder fit .within socket 33 to preventlongitudinal shifting of the telescope in response to recoil shocks.Thus, while the telescope may pivot within a limited range about alateral axis through the pin to provide an elevation adjustment, it isstill secured against longitudinal motion by the snug fore-and-aft-fitof the pin and socket.

The concept of the invention also extends to the use of two claimp ringswith two conically shaped pins threaded into the receiver. As alreadydescribed, variations in longitudinal spacing of the sets of tappedholes in the receiver ring and bridge can be compensated by adjustingthe position of the clamp rings along the barrel. It is still necessary,however, to provide compensation for variations in height of thereceiver ring and bridge if mounting universality is to be achieved.This is accomplished by using a variable-height pin assembly with one ofthe clamp rings, the pin height being set to compensate for receiverheight variations.

Referring to FIG. 15, a variable-height pin assembly .190 includes a pin192 having a threaded lower portion 193 extending downwardly from a base194, and a telescope-engaging portion 195 extending upwardly from thebase and formed as an inverted, truncated cone. The top of the pin has athreaded bore 196 to receive a threaded post 198 having ascrewdriver-slotted top portion 199.

Preferably, top portion 199 of the post includes a plurality of radialindex marks 200, and a single index mark 201 is formed at the upper endof telescope-engaging portion 195. The post can be reproduciblypositioned in the pin by first threading the post tightly into bore 196,and then backing the post out of the bore a specified number of turnsand fractions of turns. The post is secured at a desired height by asetscrew 203 threaded laterally through the telescope-engaging portionof the pm.

In use, the variable-height pin assembly is threaded into the lower oneof a pair of threaded holes in the rifle receiver as already described.A pin 50 or 170 (as discussed above) is threaded into the other hole inthe higher part of the receiver. Threaded post 198 is then positioned inpin 192 so the upper surface of the post is level with the upper surfaceof pin 50 or 170.

A clamp ring (see FIG. 13) is then secured to the telescope barrel andto pin 50 or to draw the undersurface of the clamp ring tightly againstthe higher part of the receiver. A second clamp ring 206 is installed onthe telescope barrel and secured to the variable-height pin assembly toabut the top of the post as shown in FIG. 16. Clamp ring 206 is similarin construction to clamp ring 150, but includes a laterally elongatedsocket 208 to receive the pin assembly, the front and back Walls of thesocket fitting snugly against the front and back sides of the post. Theclearance provided between the lateral walls of the elongated socket andthe sides of post 198 permits differential adjustment of a pair ofsetscrews 209 (threaded laterally through the walls of the socket) for awindage setting of the telescope. When pin 170 is used with clamp ring150, the threaded post may also be adjusted up or down to provide anelevation setting for the telescope.

An alternative form of a variable-height pin assembly 220 is shown inFIG. 17, and includes a base 222 having a threaded lower portion 223extending downwardly therefrom. A threaded stud 224 extends upwardlyfrom the base portion, and a lock not 225 is threaded on the stud. Aninternally threaded, telescope-engaging portion 226, formed as aninverted, truncated cone, is threaded on the stud above the lock nut.The telescope-engaging portion is positioned at a desired height abovethe base, and then locked in place with the lock nut.

The variable-height pin assembly may of course also be constructed withwashers or spacers of a specific thickness to achieve the desired heightof the top of the assembly. The threaded assemblies just described arepreferred, however, as the maintenance of an inventory of washers orspacers is avoided. Another alternative method is to form partialthreads in the front and back walls of laterally elongated socket 208 ofthe clamp ring. A plug is then threaded into the socket, and the clampring is installed over a pin 50 or 170 so the top of the pin abuts theundersurface of the plug. The plug position is adjusted to achieve thedesired height of the telescope barrel above the receiver.

Another form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 18- 20, and includes atelescope 230 having a barrel 231. A rib 232, formed to define the maleportion of a dovetail joint, extends longitudinally along theundersurface of the barrel. A plurality of half-round lateral grooves233 are formed laterally through the rib adjacent one of its ends. Astep 234 is integrally formed in each side of the telescope barrel.

A rear block 236 has an upper surface 237 formed to fit snugly againstthe undersurface of barrel 231 against steps 234. The upper surfacedefines a dovetail slot 238 extending longitudinally therethrough so theblock can he slipped into engagement with the male dovetail portion ofrib 232 after the ocular or objective lens housing is removed. A channel239 extends from the floor of slot 238 downwardly (as viewed in FIG. 19)toward the bottom of the block, and is formed longitudinally through theblock. Channel 239 adds resiliency to opposed sides 240 and 241 of theblock, permitting the block to be securely tightened against thetelescope barrel and rib 232.

A pair of lateral holes 243 extend through sides 240 and 241 of theblock, and the holes are threaded in side 240 to receive members such asa pair of screws 244 to lock the block to the telescope 'barrel. Holes243 are longitudinally spaced apart a distance corresponding to theindexing of grooves 233 in the rib, and are positioned verticallywhereby the bodies of screws 244 fit snugly into grooves 233. Thus, asbest seen in FIG. 19, the upper portions of screws 244 mate with grooves233 in the barrel rib, securely locking the block to the barrel andpreventing relative longitudinal motion of these components duringrecoil shock of the firearm.

An undersurface 246 of block 236 is generally V- shaped to fit snuglyagainst the frame of a firearm, and this undersurface is bored to definea circular socket 247. A pair of laterally opposed setscrews 248 arethreaded through opposite sides of the block to extend inwardly andupwardly into the socket. Socket 247 and the associated setscrews areidentical to socket 33 and setscrews 34 already described in detailabove.

A front block 250 is identical to rear block 236 with the exception thatthe front block has a pair of laterally extending holes 251 which passunder the male dovetail portion of rib 232 as seen in FIG. 20. The rightends (as viewed in FIG. of holes .251 are threaded to receive a pair ofscrews 252 which pass under rib 232 to lock the front block to thetelescope barrel. When screws 252 are loosened, the front block is thusfree to slide along the rib to be positioned as desired along the lengthof the telescope barrel.

' The blocks are secured to a pair of pins such as pin shown in FIG. 3,pin 190 shown in FIG. 15, or pin 220 shown in FIG. 17. As describedabove, the pins are secured in a pair of drilled and tapped holes in theframe of a firearm to which the telescope is to be secured. The blocksare installed over the pins and secured in place with setscrews 248 inthe manner already described. Rear block 236 is positioned to placescrews 244 through a pair of grooves 233 which will provide a desiredeyerelief position for the telescope. Front block 250 is slipped alongthe dovetail section of rib 232 to space the blocks apart so sockets 247are in alignment with the pins on the firearm frame.

The mounting shown in FIGS. 18-20 is especially well adapted for use onshotguns or pistols which may lack pre-drilled and tapped holes toaccept pins such as pin 50. With a breakopen-action shotgun, such holescan be drilled and tapped in the rib which is typically formed along thetop of the shotgun barrel. With an automatic or pump-action shotgun, theholes can be drilled and tapped in the receiver area of the shotgunframe. With a pistol, the holes can be drilled and tapped into the topstrap of a revolver, or into the upper portion of the frame of anautomatic pistol. If only a small mounting area is available (as, forexample, on the strap of a small revolver), block 236 alone can be usedto mount the telescope. In such an application, block 236 can be madeslightly longer than shown in FIG. 18 such that V-shaped undersurface246 clamps tightly against the firearm to resist forces tending to twistthe block around the pin.

There has been described a universal telescope mounting which is usefulin securing a telescope to almost any modern rifle without the use ofcustom-fitted mounting bases which are usable on only one or a limitednumber of rifles. The universality of the mount stems from its abilityto compensate for variations in spacing of the factory drilled andtapped holes in a rifle receiver, as well as variations in height ofdifferent portions of the receiver. Although the invention has beendescribed in terms of its application to a bolt-action rifle, it is tobe understood that it is also useful with lever or pumpaction rifles aswell as automatic rifles. These different styles of firearms aretypically provided with factory drilled and tapped holes in the receiverarea, and are therefore compatible with the telescope mounting describedabove. The telescope mounting is also useful on pistols or shotgunswhich are adapted to the mounting by drilling and tapping a pair ofholes to receive the mounting pins or pin and block.

I claim:

1. A telescope mounting for a firearm having a frame with a plurality oflongitudinally spaced holes, comprising a pin adapted to be secured tothe frame in one of the holes, the pin having a telescope-engagingportion which extends above the frame when the pin is secured to theframe; an elongated block adapted to be secured to the frame at anotherof the holes to be longitudinally spaced from the pin, the block havinga pair of sides which extend above the frame, at least one side having alongitudinally elongated groove; a telescope having a socket dimensionedto fit snugly over the telescopeengaging portion of the pin wherebythere is substantially zero longitudinal freedom between the socket andthe pin; and clamp means secured to the telescope and longitudinallyspaced from the socket to be engageable in the block groove whereby thetelescope is clamped to the block.

2. The telescope mounting defined in claim 1 in which each side of theblock includes a plurality of vertically spaced grooves, each groovebeing in lateral alignment with a respective groove in the opposite sideof the block, and the clamp means is engaged in a pair of laterallyaligned grooves.

3. The telescope mounting defined in claim 2 in Which the clamp meanscomprises a first clamp ring secured around the telescope, the firstclamp ring having a pair of lower portions which extend toward thefirearm frame adjacent opposite sides of the block, and a pair oflaterally opposed screws threaded through the respective lower portionsto bear against the block in the laterally aligned grooves; and in whichthe telescope includes a second clamp ring spaced from the first clampring and secured around the telescope, the underside of the second clampring having an aperture defining the socket, and a pair of laterallyopposed screws threaded through the second clamp ring to bear againstthe telescope-engaging portion of the pin.

4. The telescope mounting defined in claim 2 in which the telescope hasa barrel and in which the clamp means comprises a pair of lower portionsintegral with and extending downwardly from the barrel toward thefirearm frame adjacent opposite sides of the block, and a pair oflaterally opposed screws threaded through the respective lower portionsto bear against the block in the laterally aligned grooves.

5. The telescope mounting defined in claim 4 in which each lower portionincludes a plurality of longitudinally and vertically spaced threadedholes to receive the screw.

6. The telescope mounting defined in claim 2 in which the block includesa pair of longitudinally spaced, recessed holes extending verticallytherethrough, and further comprising a pair of screws extending throughthe holes and threaded into a pair of holes in the firearm frame tosecure the block to the frame.

7. The telescope mounting defined in claim 6 in which one of therecessed holes is longitudinally elongated to accommodate the block tovariable spacing of the holes in the firearm frame.

8. The telescope mounting defined in claim 2 and further comprising apost adjustably secured to the block and extending above the block underthe telescope, the post being positionable at a selectable height abovethe 1 1 block whereby the telescope bears against the post when theclamp means is engaged in the block grooves.

9. The telescope mounting defined in claim 1 in which the pin has athreaded lower portion to engage the firearm frame, and thetelescope-engaging portion includes an inverted, truncated conicalsection.

10. The telescope mounting defined in claim 9 in Which the telescope hasa barrel for mounting an optical system, and in which a socket portionis formed integrally with and extending downwardly from the barrel, thesocket portion having an aperture in its undersurface to define thesocket, and a pair of screws threaded through opposite sides of thesocket portion to bear on the conical section whereby an undersurface ofthe socket portion is urged toward and clamped against the firearmframe.

11. The telescope mounting defined in claim 10 in which the clamp meanscomprises a pair of lower portions integral with and extendingdownwardly from the barrel toward the firearm frame adjacent oppositesides of the block, and a pair of laterally opposed screws threadedthrough the respective lower portions to bear against the block in thelaterally aligned grooves.

12. A telescope mounting for a firearm having a frame with a pluralityof threaded, longitudinally spaced holes, comprising a pin adapted to besecured to the frame in one of the holes, the pin having atelescope-engaging portion which extends above the frame when the pin issecured to the frame; an elongated block adapted to be secured to theframe at another of the holes to be longitudinally spaced from the pin,the block having a pair of sides which extend above the frame, the sideshaving major planes which diverge laterally away from each other withincreasing distance above the frame; a telescope having a portiondefining a socket dimensioned to fit snugly over the telescope-engagingportion of the pin whereby there is substantially zero longitudinalfreedom between the socket and the pin; and clamp means secured to thetelescope and longitudinally spaced from the socket to be clampedagainst the diverging block sides whereby the telescope is secured tothe block.

13. The telescope mounting defined in claim 12 in which the blockincludes a pair of longitudinally spaced, recessed holes extendingvertically therethrough, one of the holes being longitudinally elongatedto accommodate the block to variable spacing of the threaded holes inthe frame, and further comprising a pair of screws extending through theholes for engagement in a pai of threaded holes in the frame to securethe block to the receiver.

14. The telescope mounting defined in claim 13 and further comprising apost adjustably secured to the block and extending above the block underthe telescope, the post being positionable at a selectable height abovethe block whereby the telescope bears against the post when the clampmeans is clamped against the block.

15. The telescope mounting defined in claim 14 in which the telescopehas a barrel, and in which the clamp means comprises a pair of lowerportions secured to and extending downwardly from the barrel toward thefirearm frame adjacent opposite sides of the block, and a pair oflaterally opposed screws threaded through the respective lower portionsto bear against the diverging block sides.

16. The telescope mounting defined in claim 15 in which the lowerportions and the socket portion are integral with the telescope barrel.

17. A telescope mounting for a firearm having a frame with a pair ofthreaded, longitudinally spaced holes, comprising an integral,substantially round pin having a threaded lower portion engageable inone of the holes, and having an upper portion which extends above theframe when the lower portion is secured to the frame, the pin upperportion having a varying circular cross section which varies from afirst diameter to a second diameter substantially smaller that the firstdiameter, a telescope having a portion defining a socket dimensioned tofit snugly over the first diameter of the upper portion of the pinwhereby there is substantially zero longitudinal freedom between thesocket and the pin, a locking means engaged with the socket-definingtelescope portion and bearing against the upper portion of the pin atthe second diameter, and clamp means secured to the telescope,longitudinally spaced from the socket, and engageable in the other ofthe holes for clamping the telescope to the frame.

18. The telescope mounting defined in claim 17 in which the upperportion of the pin includes an inverted, truncated conical section, andin which the locking means comprises a pair of opposed screws threadedlaterally through the socket portion of the telescope into the socket tobear on opposite sides of the conical section whereby the telescope isclamped against the frame.

19. The telescope mounting defined in claim 18 in which the screws havelongitudinal axes which are substantially perpendicular to the conicalsection of the pin.

20. The telescope mounting defined in claim 18 in which the pin has arounded top portion whereby the telescope may pivot about a lateral axisof the pin, and in which the clamp means includes vertical positioningmeans for adjusting the elevation alignment of the telescope.

21. The telescope mounting defined in claim 20 in which the clamp meansincludes lateral positioning means for adjusting the windage alignmentof the telescope.

22. The telescope mounting defined in claim 18 in which the socketportion of the telescope comprises a clamp ring secured around thetelescope, the underside of the clamp ring having an aperture definingthe socket.

23. The telescope mounting defined in claim 22 in which the clamp meanscomprises an adjustable height pin assembly threaded into the other ofthe holes, a second clamp ring secured around the telescope, theunderside of the second clamp ring having a socket to receive the pinassembly, and means for securing the second clamp ring to the pinassembly.

24. The telescope mounting defined in claim 18 in which the clamp meanscomprises a second integral, substantially round pin having a threadedlower portion engageable in the other of the holes, the second pinhaving an upper portion which extends above the firearm frame when thelower portion is secured to the frame, the upper portion of the secondpin including an inverted, truncated conical section, a second portionsecured to the telescope and defining a second socket dimensioned to fitover the upper portion of the second pin, and a second pair of opposedscrews threaded laterally through the second socket portion of thetelescope into the second socket to bearon opposite sides of the conicalsection of the second pm.

25. The telescope mounting defined in claim 24 in which the telescopehas a barrel for mounting an optical system, and the two socket portionsare formed integrally with the barrel and extend below the barrel towardthe firearm frame.

26. A telescope mounting for a firearm having a frame with a firstthreaded hole, comprising a substantially round pin having a threadedlower portion engageable in the hole, and having an upper portion whichextends above the frame when the lower portion is secured to the frame,the upper portion including an inverted, truncated conical section; atelescope having a longitudinally elongated rib, the rib having alateral groove therethrough; a block adapted to engage the rib inlongitudinally sliding and laterally locked fashion, the block having alateral hole in alignment with the lateral groove when the block and therib are engaged, the block further having a portion defining a socketdimensioned to fit snugly over the upper portion of the pin wherebythere is substantially zero longitudinal freedom between the socket andthe pin; a pair of opposed screws threaded 13 laterally through thesocket portion of the block into the socket to bear on opposite sides ofthe conical section of the pin; and a member secured in the blocklateral hole and fitting snugly in the rib lateral groove to lock theblock to the rib whereby longitudinal sliding is prevented.

27. The telescope mounting defined in claim 26 in which the block has aV-shaped undersurface to fit against the firearm frame.

28. The telescope mounting defined in claim 26 in which the firearmframe includes a second threaded hole, the first and second holes beinglongitudinally spaced apart, and further comprising clamp means engagedwith the telescope rib, longitudinally spaced from the block, andengageable in the second threaded hole.

29. The telescope mounting defined in claim 28 in which the rib has adovetail cross section and has a plurality of longitudinally spacedlateral grooves, and in which the block has a mating dovetail crosssection to engage the rib.

30. The telescope mounting defined in claim 29 in which the clamp meanscomprises a second substantially round pin having a threaded lowerportion engageable in the second threaded hole in the firearm frame, andhaving an upper portion which extends above the frame when the lowerportion is secured to the frame, the upper portion including aninverted, truncated conical section, a second block having a matingdovetail section to engage the telescope rib, and having a portiondefining a socket dimensioned to fit snugly over the second pin, a screwthreaded laterally through the second block to clamp the block to therib, and a pair of opposed screws threaded laterally through the socketportion of the second block into the socket to bear on opposite sides ofthe conical section of the pin.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,774,142 12/1956 Lake et al.3350 2,830,373 4/1958 Dahlberg 3350 2,857,675 10/1958 Kesselring 33-5OROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner.

J. F. FGSS, Assistant Examiner.

